Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-04-07
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Novel Career.
5As FRAsoIsoo, April 2.--The case of
William Kissane, which is surrounded
with so much mystery and which was
heard in New York yesterday before Re-
corder emyth, has attracted much atten.
tion in California. This Ia due to the
fact that Kissane is said and Ia now
known TO be one of the most prominent
and wealthy citizens of California, and Is
connected by marriage with many of the
leading families of this city.
Many attempts have been made by tho
press of San Francisco to get at the actual
facts in the case and unearth the identity
of this mysterious individual. The inn
mediate notoriety Of the case il due TO o
motion made by counsel j. d. Hart of
this city TO have nolle proaeQui entered
on an indictment for forgery on fle In
the district attorneys office against this
man William Kiasane. The indictment
asfor the forgery Of o cheque for $l2 900
in 1854 on the Chemical Bank OF New
York.
Aprominent gentleman of this city who
knows Kissane we'll and who knew him
Ia the east, and who has been severe
sufferer by Kissane, gave to an Associated
Press reporter last night full story of
Kissane's career, suppressing only the
namo which he is now known by in Cali
fornia. II may be said here that Kis aue
Is one of the most prominent and wealthy
citizens OF Sonoma county, California,
and that his half brother is prominent
attorney. His connections by marriage
are all leading society people.
The statement of this gentleman Ia as
follows; "It is believed that statsments
made through Jesse B. Hart in New York
and telegrsphed here have telegraphed
the identity Of Kissane and they may
probably lead to complete disclosure of
his criminal practices in the past. II is
we'll known 10 certain parties that Kis-
sane has been guilty of felony since his
arrival in California. He is unrepentant
and seeks only the removal of the legal
disabilities and penalties for his past
crimes. He is still under indictment
in New York for forgery, and
for murder in Arkansas as re-
sulting from the great loss of life by
the burning of the steamer Martha WASH
ington, bound from Cincinnati for New
Orleans, near Helena, Ark, on the night
of January 14th, 1852. He was, in JAN
uary, 1868, with some others, placed on
trial for conspiracy to defraud insurance
companies by means of insuring fictitious
oargoes said to have been lost by the
burning of the steamer Martha Washing
ton. He was convicted on three oeoa-
sions in Cincinnati on the charges, but
each time managed to eyadethe law. After
this he was arrested for murder and taken
to Helena, but owing TO lack Of funds
and failure 10 provide an appropriation
for his prosecution he again escaped the
clutches of the law. A request was made
by Hon. James Guthrie for the appIopria-
ton but IL could not procured. Kitsane
in the meanwhile skipped Lis bail and the
next heard Of him was in connection with
his forgeries on the Chemical Bank of
New York in August, 1854, for which he
was arrested and sentenced to Sing Sing
prison. Among his effects at the time Of
his arrest were some notes of $500
denomination on the Chemical Bank Of
New York. He was brought to New
York handcuffed and locked to
the wrist Of an officer. The key
to the bandcuffs was lodged safely
in the pocket of the Chemical Bank
teller, who still lives to probably assist in
the last chapter of Kissane's criminal
career. While In Sing Sing Kissane
offered to make full confession of the
Martha Washington steamboat conspiracy
and to confirm the same on the Witness
stand, 80 as to assist the insurance COM
panies In resisting the fraudulent suits
brought against them for fictitious losses.
The authorities concluded that his testi-
mony would be available and useful for
that purpose and that he might not volun-
tarily give testimony IL he served his full
term. For this reason he was liberated and
thereafter made full confession OF the
steamer conspiracy, the burning Of the
boat and the efforts to secure the insur-
ance. The confession occupied about 100
pages of foolscap. His gang was one of
the most complete organizations ever
known in this country. When the con-
fession was made known it caused con-
sternation. Kissane himself violated his
promises to the insurance companies and
fed to Nicaragua, where under an
assumed name it was reported
he had been shot. His career
In California under another assumed name
is we'll known and all his connections,
business, social and marriages, are
equally well known, he having acquired
enormous wealth. His reckless attempt
to quash the indictment in New York will
bring on himself and immediate friends,
many of whom are ignorant of his his
tory, most unpleasant consequences.
General Dorr of this city, who is perfectly
familiar with Kissane's career, has stated
that on his first seeing Kissane In this
state some two years ago he immediately
identified him, but out of consideration
for Kissane's connections he had persist
emily refused TO make any statement in
regard to him, hoping he would make
restitution TO those he had ruined"